Fiona lay unconscious on the bed, her breathing was shallow, and her skin was pale and burning with fever. The doctor had barely left thirty minutes ago, and had assured him she’ll br fine—but none of it eased the storm inside Nathan.
He sat beside her, his hands clasped so tightly the knuckles were white.
Everyone had already retreated—his mother after whispering "She’ll be fine, son," and his father with a firm squeeze on his arm. Even Natasha had left when he ordered her out, shutting the door without another word.
Now, the only sound in the room was Fiona’s soft, uneven breathing.
Nathan wiped his face with both hands once, then stood. He went to the wardrobe, pulling out one of his soft cotton shirts and a pair of shorts—sothing she’d be comfortable in.
He returned to her side and hesitated. She looked so fragile lying there. Her lashes clumped with dried tears, his shirt sleeve brushed her arm and he flinched at how hot she still felt.
With a slow breath, he began changing her out of the dress she wore. His fingers shook, not out of lust—never. It was fear. The kind that sat heavy in the chest and refused to move even after he had brought her back.
Her top had a small tear at the shoulder. A reminder of soone else’s hands on her....soone who wasn’t him. Soone who dared to hurt her. His jaw clenched hard.
Once she was changed and tucked under the blanket, Nathan brushed her hair gently away from her face. He sat beside her again, not taking his eyes off her for a second.Then her lips moved, barely, a whisper caught between sleep and fevered confusion.
"...Nathan..." she called.
She wasn’t awake, not fully. But she was mumbling, hearing his na co from her like that—it shattered him.
"I’m right here," he whispered, leaning closer. "I’m not going anywhere. I swear it."
She didn’t hear him. Her head turned slowly on the pillow, her brow tightening like she was trapped in a nightmare. Nathan swallowed hard and reached for her hand. It was cold despite her fever.
"I thought I lost you."
The words slipped out before he could think, it was raw and true.
"I—Fiona, I can’t even describe what it felt like. Finding that car without you. Seeing the place they kept you. Walking into that room and seeing you tied like that..."
His throat tightened and he shook his head, his eyes closing with the weight of it.
"I’ve never been that scared in my life."
He pressed a kiss to the back of her hand, holding it like it was the only thing keeping him sane.
Hours passed by and Nathan stayed sitting right there, refusing to sleep, refusing to blink for too long. He watched her chest rise and fall. He counted it, he morized it. His fingers stroked her arm whenever she whimpered in her sleep.
Then—soti around past 3 a.m.—she woke up afraid.
Her entire body jolted violently, like she’d been shocked. She inhaled sharply and sat up.
"No—no, stop—please—let go—"
She was shaking, whipping her head left and right even though the room was dimly lit and calm. Her hands pulled against invisible restraints. Her breathing ca in panicked bursts, her eyes wide.
"Fiona." Nathan sat up imdiately, reaching for her shoulders.
But the mont his hand touched her, she scread.
"Don’t touch ! Don’t—don’t—please—"
She shoved him hard, her palm hitting his chest. It wasn’t forceful, but it was desperate. Terrified, she scrambled back on the bed, pressing herself against the headboard, her body curled inward like she was trying to protect herself from sothing only she could see.
Nathan’s heart broke just watching her.
"It’s ," he said softly, and raised his hands to show he wasn’t a threat. "Fiona, cupcake, it’s . You’re safe. You’re ho."
But she wasn’t hearing him. Her breathing were rapid.
"The blindfold—don’t—please—don’t tie —don’t—"
Nathan moved slowly, like approaching a frightened animal.
"Fiona... look at ," he whispered. "Look. At. ."
Her breathing hitched. Her eyes, unfocused and frantic, darted toward the sound of his voice. Then they finally landed on him.
She froze for a second as he ca into view. She recognized him and wiped her eyes with her palm as if she wasn’t sure it was him.
"Nathan...?" Her voice cracked.
"Yes," he breathed out. Relief washed over him so strong his knees nearly gave out. "I’m right here. You’re safe, Fiona. You’re ho. No one’s going to touch you again. I promise."
Her face crumpled instantly. A strangled sob tore out of her chest as she threw herself into his arms, collapsing against him with all the strength she had left.
Nathan caught her tightly, one arm around her shoulders, the other around her waist, pulling her into him like he could shield her from every nightmare.
She clung to him desperately, shaking so violently he could feel it through both their clothes. Her fists gripped his shirt like she feared he’d disappear if she let go.
"I was so scared," she sobbed against his neck. "Nathan—I thought—I thought they—"
"I know," he murmured, pressing kisses into her hair, onto her temple, anywhere he could reach. "I know, baby. I’m sorry. I’m so sorry. I should have been there. I should have—"
"No," she cried, shaking her head against his chest. "No, it’s not you. It’s not your fault. They... they..."
Her voice broke entirely. She choked on her next breath and her shoulders trembled.
Nathan cupped her face gently and made her look at him again.
"Fiona, cupcake," he whispered. "Did they hurt you?"
Her eyes widened—fear flashed through them so fast he caught it instantly.
"I—Nathan, I—"
She shut her eyes tightly and shook her head.
"Please... don’t ask ."
"Fiona..." His voice softened even more. "Tell what they did."
"Who took you? Was it a man or a woman?" Hr asked.
She opened her eyes again—and they were full of pain, fear, and sothing else. Sothing she was trying to bury.
"I can’t," she whispered. "Please don’t make . I just—I just want to be here. With you. Right now. Please."
Nathan’s chest tightened, hee could tell she was hiding sothing but he didn’t push.
Not now at least. She was trembling in his arms, crying like soone whose heartbeat had been stolen from her.
He pulled her closer, tucking her head under his chin. Her sobs shook both of them. He kissed her forehead softly. Then again and again.
He shifted them down gently until they were lying on the bed, her head resting on his chest. His arms wrapped around her completely, holding her together piece by piece.
She continued to cry until the sobs softened. Nathan kissed her hair and whispered calming words, over and over—
"You’re safe."
"I’ve got you."
"I’m not leaving."
"You’re ho. I love you."
He kissed her until her breaths evened into a trembling calm.
But even as she drifted back to sleep, her hand remained fisted in his shirt.
And Nathan stayed awake, staring at the ceiling—he knew one thing was certain. Whatever she was hiding, whatever was said to her...
He was going to find out.
And soone was going to pay for it.
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